New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-12
SHERIDAN IN THE VALLEY.
TWO MORE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LITERATURE OF
THE RossER EPISODE.

THE RossER Episode.
WARRINGTON May IL Special. -General Rossers
campaign against Sheridan continues to excite tue
Admiration and interest OF few people in Virginia.
In some comments on Rosses letter Major Conrad,
the Editor of The Peninsula Enterprise says;
This Is the same General Sheridan whose bar oaroUs
torch spread such wild and wanton waste and deso'h
tion through the Valley during the war, laying IN
ashes the beautiful and happy homes OF innocent
women Young and helpless children and aged men,
and who. over those ruins boosted that crow c1u'a
not fy without carrying his rations. That such
man was Hospitality received ard entertained by inc
people of Virginia last summer we 90 not believe;
RiGdeberger alone u We reephoSr aIisa tbat time
were 80 forgefu of their decency and selrespect as
10 show him any attention. it is to be hoped that they
will not DO guilty again OF such an unpatdonaDie sI.
The brave soldiers OF the Union, like Meade Hancock
and Grant. have respect and cannot nc receives
too Hospitality. In the presence OF such men It IS rgn'
that no unpleasant memories should be eherlsheu'
aud we honor ourselves in h0nOrine them; but oheri
dan is no less brute now than he was during inc
war, and entitled to no consideration at me hsnas
any respectable That this man snoud be allo"eu
TO make his triumphant ride up tho Valley IN peace
but like a miserable crow, carrying his own ratons
with him. Is the hope expressed ny uehera hnnJ
be readily concurred in by every seii-rospectins
Virginian.
General Edwards who at one time in the war com
handed the Union forces at Winchester has written
the toonng letter to the Editor of he Winchester
Times" in which paper it was published today:
Having seen extracts OF letter from GeneraI
Thomas L. ROsser to Major Holmes conrad IN
reference to General F. H. Sheridan. trust you VIII
publish this letter from me, though 1t Is unknown 10
and unauthorized by General Sheridan such soldiers
as General Rossrr Major Conrad VIII surely ac-
knowledge it 10 be soldiers duty to obey tac ORDERS
OF those ia authority him. know mat 6eneia
Sheridan, while in command OF the Federal forces III
the Shenandoah Valley, was acting under IN orucI
fl ON the War Department and signed ~ General
Haeck, Chief of Staf TO desolate the alley Houl
Winchester as far as possible toward siaunton'
quote the order - =,
To destroy all forage and provisions all barns and
outbouses and all unOccupied dwellings houses and
feuces In short, you will make such complete desc
lAtinn that should attempt tue passage OF the
Valley he would have to carry his own subsistence
or stlrve on the route" 49,
The object of this order from the War Der artment
was to prevent General Lee from sending troops III
light marching order TO subsist on the country
through the Valley to threaten Washington and liz
terfere with the siege OF Richmond, and 1t vas con-
sidered necessary war me isurc NhchcFeI ONT army
occupied q place where there were both Union and
Dsunion elements. as at Winchester, there We found
much bitter feeling. Wounded soldiers OF crook
army of Western Virginia in hospitals at winchester
after the battle OF the OpcGuan very windy day set
fro TO your iowa. near the old P0st-Ohice Ii 80 nap
pened that OF my reg mens was made up mostly o.
Philadelphia fire addies aud their colonel was an oid
fire chief. / ordered them to save your beautiful
town and by great exertion they succeeded. General
Sheridan warmly approved this. lie permitted the
Confederate hospitals in Winchester 10 retain their
own nurses, not even placing them under guard ana
he treated them in every way IA ven IA our own
wounded treated. i will refer IN this 10 e.
Medical Director Colonel Love. {. s. y. War in any
case Is cruel and btrbarous, but am sure that Gen
eral Rosser would not knowingly hnd fault WIN
General Sheridan for obeying positive orders Thank
God IL Is over; and with best wishes Tor your people
and your lovely city, mn sincerely yours.